Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

In response to the parliamentary secretary, can I indicate that the parliamentary secretary herself confirmed in the Senate debate in 2011 that a principal contractor retains responsibility for all safety down the contractual line with a new person conducting a business or undertaking a test. Furthermore, evidence from the chief executive officer of Comcare at Senate estimates that the Commonwealth government may be liable for these exposures under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Further, there is evidence that more than half of all asbestos cases since 1996 involving telecommunications pits have occurred in the past six weeks, and that is why, reluctantly, we do agree with the Greens' amendment to ensure that this Senate does get a report.